Anthony Larkin and Gerard Windrum: Two men jailed for excessive role in €1.2million cannabis resin operation

Anthony Larkin, 46, of Killarney Park, Bray, Co Wicklow, pleaded guilty in Dublin Circuit Criminal Court on 1 April 2022 to possessing for sale or supply just over 92kg of the drugs, valued at an estimated €556,800 have, just outside Brittas, Co. Dublin.

Gerard Windrum, 38, of Oliver Bond House, Dublin, pleaded guilty to possessing 105kg of the same drug, valued at just over €630,000, at a warehouse in Mount Seskin, Tallaght, for sale or delivery on the same day.

Larkin has no criminal record. Windrum has 103 previous convictions, most of them for traffic offences, but also for selling or supplying 1kg of heroin.

Judge Martin Nolan said there was no doubt both men were couriers and “received little or nothing” but may have received debt forgiveness.

“But they were mature men and, to everyone’s chagrin, they agreed,” the judge said.

He confirmed that they are both “well liked” by their family and community and have good career records.

“Both have unique issues that make them vulnerable to the temptations they face,” Judge Nolan said.

He sentenced Windrum to eight years in prison, taking into account his previous conviction for a similar offense. He sentenced Larkin to five years in prison.

Detective Garda Val Russell told prosecutors Katherine McGillicuddy BL that Gardaí were monitoring a storage unit in Mount Seskin after receiving a tip upon seeing Windrum arriving in a van. He took four bags from the unit and loaded them into the van.

Gardaí followed the van until Windrum parked in a car park on Blessington Road in Brittas. Larkin then arrived at the parking lot. Windrum and Larkin chatted for a few minutes before driving off together, Windrum ahead.

Det Gda Russell said the two vehicles struck at a second location in Brittas, where Windrum loaded the four bags into Larkin’s vehicle with Larkin’s help. The two vehicles drove away in different directions, but were followed by Gardaí and stopped a short time later.

The keys to the storage unit were found on Windrum and a subsequent search of the unit found 105kg of cannabis resin, while the four bags found in Larkin’s van contained just over 92kg of the same drug.

Both men were arrested and produced for questioning, with Larkin saying his life was in danger because of drug debt. He said he was approached and given instructions on what to do. He said he was very sorry.

Det Gda Russell agreed with Fiona Murphy SC and defended that Windrum’s baby died of infant death in October 2000, leading to an escalation of his drug use. He accepted that Windrum was a vulnerable person.

He agreed with Giollaíosa Ó Lideadha SC and defended that a second case was pending against Larkin over the fact that he collected €37,000 “on behalf of third parties” in January this year. He is accused of money laundering.

Ms. Murphy told Judge Nolan that her client went through a very difficult time and reverted to using cocaine as a coping strategy after the death of his child.

She said his addiction had worsened and he was in deep debt without really being able to pay it back. She said he was scared for his life and “felt like he wasn’t able to say no.”

Ms Murphy argued that her client “was vulnerable and was being exploited by darker people”.

Mr Ó Lideadha submitted testimonies on behalf of his client, describing him as very reliable and saying he helps out in the local community. He has been described as “a hard working and trusting person” who “lives for his children”.